Summary: Post-discovery-of-OP. Setting: Sabaody. Characters/Pairing: ZoRo. Zoro and Robin meet up by coincidence on the same day the Strawhats had disbanded years before and see each other with a different perspective. (More romance, more serious than my last fic. Another 3-Part story. I do not own One Piece.)
Restless boots clunked through the Saobody grass. It was a beautiful day and most of the people milling around were enjoying the amusements, nevermind that the world's greatest swordsman had made an unexpected appearance. Zoro had somehow wandered into the grove housing the amusement park, much to his dismay and irritation. The cheery mood too juxtaposed his own, reminded him too much of his loss.
To his relief, when he finally stopped stalking around he was in a secluded area with only the noise of sloshing ocean and the hollow sound of boats bumping against each other. It only made his aura darker and he took another swig of the strongest stuff, only to remember that it had been long gone hours ago.
"I want to go to sea. I want to fish." Where was the curly-brow when he was actually useful? Zoro thought. And then, what the hell. He got in a boat and left the shores to do exactly what he had intended to years ago.
Zoro had always known that he would be the greatest swordsman. What he hadn't quite anticipated was the intensity of the boredom and overly-omniscient sense he carried when he wandered the world, as he watched others make mistakes his crew had made and not turn out so lucky, as he watched challengers come at him with an insufficient will-fire. It wasn't that he didn't enjoy his life now, but without the crew constantly around him it made for a ridiculously quiet life. It was annoying how accustomed to solitude he had been only to become accustomed to perpetually boisterous surroundings, and then be left in the quiet once more. He was beginning to see why Hawkeye had continued to spare his life. Although, of course, he hadn't quite anticipated that he would wander the world. Not like this.
It was that time of year again. Zoro wanted to take out all his frustrations on his environment, but splitting the sky was far too easy, obliterating an island too simple. He was not the kind of person to mope around all day, but he sat quietly in the small rowing boat. How were the others faring? With that last, deep-rooted thought, he dove into the crystal clear waters. Fishing for a tiny prey was not his style. Might as well act as bait for the kings.
When Zoro emerged from the depths the sea was stained red and he could taste the metal and salt in his mouth. The rowboat was no longer. Must have floated away while he was–no, it was a little ways away. Zoro tread his way over smoothly, his toned muscles rippling with ease.
Hauling himself overboard, he stretched himself out in the belly of the tiny rowboat, put his hands behind his head and dozed. He considered many things. Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Robin, Chopper, Franky, Brook. But it all came back to Luffy. The world was so much darker, Zoro realized. He had been spoiled, given opportunities that no one else could have– it was his fate. It was his fate to keep fighting just as much as it was his fate to fight death. And it had been his fate to meet Luffy all those years ago and become first mate of the New Age Pirate King. It had been his fate to chase his dreams with everyone and become the ultimate crew, and it had been Fate he had fought so hard against when his everything was–…
When Zoro woke it wasn't because the sun was disappearing over the horizon, or because of the man on the banks of Saobody yelling about a little boat. There was a familiar presence descending, then standing above him with feet planted on either side of him. When he opened his eye he saw her hour-glass form silhouetted by the sunset behind her and a million petals floating out into the sides of his vision, into the crimson ocean.
Author's note: Hope you enjoy! I'll be updating slower this time around since I'm not actually finished writing the story. R&R Plz&ty.